Sterling Heights High boys soccer team looks to compete in wide open MAC Blue

Sterling Heights High boys soccer coach Jack LaTorre said he expects the race for the MAC Blue title to come down to the wire. Pictured is Stallions senior goalkeeper Chuck Grade during a Sept. 11 matchup against Macomb Dakota.

Photo by Erin Sanchez

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights High senior forward Aun Ho said he believes the Stallions can compete for the Macomb Area Conference Blue Division title if the team gives a consistently strong effort.

“We have to work hard, and we have to keep our heads up,” said Ho, a four-year varsity player. “We’re going to have ups and downs as the season goes on, but we have to keep moving forward.”

Stallions head coach Jack LaTorre, whose team had a record of 4-3-0, 2-2-0 MAC Blue at press time, said the team has already experienced some of those ups and downs early this season.

LaTorre, whose team features seven senior starters, said the players have made a few mistakes early on, but he thinks the team is playing well, for the most part. The Sterling Heights coach said his squad must improve on its ball movement, trapping, passing and midfield play if it wants to make some noise this season.

LaTorre, guiding a program that last won a division title in 2009, said the Stallions are strong defensively and in net, with senior keeper Chuck Grade manning the goal.

“Passing has been a little bit of an issue this year. We can’t seem to hit our passes, but we’re working on it,” LaTorre said. “The defense keeps us in a lot of games. The guys on our back end are doing a phenomenal job.”

LaTorre said the experience of some of the players is helping the team this season.

Ho agreed with his coach, saying attacking the ball and passing are things Sterling Heights must improve on.

“We’ve got to work on passing and try to control the ball more during games,” Ho said.

LaTorre said he thinks the MAC Blue will be very competitive this season. He said any squad in the seven-team division could come out on top.

“Every team looks like they can beat almost every other team,” LaTorre said. “(Sterling Heights), (Warren) Mott, (Macomb) Dakota, (St. Clair Shores) Lake Shore and Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse all look like they could win the league.”

The Stallions next hit the field for a bout with Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, set for 4 p.m. Sept. 18 at Sterling Heights.